Frame and leveling assembly for agricultural implement

ABSTRACT

A tillage implement includes an implement frame having a first lengthwise frame member, a second lengthwise frame member, and a lateral frame member connected to and extending between the first and second lengthwise frame members. A hitch assembly is rotatably connected to the implement frame. A wheel assembly is connected to the implement frame and moveable between a raised position and a lowered position. A rockshaft is rotatably connected to the implement frame and connected to the wheel assembly. A leveling assembly is connected to the implement frame, the rockshaft, and the hitch assembly. The leveling assembly is configured to adjust the position of the hitch assembly based on movement of the rockshaft. The leveling assembly includes an actuator connected to and aligned with a leveling link.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/998,824, filed Aug. 15, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety and to which priority is claimed.

FIELD

Various exemplary embodiments relate to tillage equipment.

BACKGROUND

Agricultural implements and machines, such as various plows, tillers,rippers, seeders, nutrient applicators, etc., are used to work soil ofcrop fields. Tillage and other agricultural implements can perform avariety of tasks, such as breaking up tough ground, injecting nutrientsinto the ground, and leveling the ground. Such implements are commonlytowed behind work vehicles, such as tractors, and can be outfitted witha variety of ground-engaging tools, such as shanks, disks, harrowingtools and finishing tools, depending on the ground preparation operationbeing carried out.

SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment, a tillage implement is configuredto be towed behind an agricultural vehicle. The tillage implementincludes an implement frame having a first lengthwise frame member, asecond lengthwise frame member, and a lateral frame member connected toand extending between the first and second lengthwise frame members. Ahitch assembly is rotatably connected to the implement frame. A wheelassembly is connected to the implement frame and moveable between araised position and a lowered position. A rockshaft is rotatablyconnected to the implement frame and connected to the wheel assembly.Movement of the wheel assembly between the raised position and thelowered position causes rotation of the rockshaft. A leveling assemblyis connected to the implement frame, the rockshaft, and the hitchassembly. The leveling assembly is configured to adjust the position ofthe hitch assembly based on movement of the rockshaft. The levelingassembly includes an actuator connected to and aligned with a levelinglink.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a tillage implement is configuredto be towed behind an agricultural vehicle. The tillage implementincludes an implement frame and a hitch assembly rotatably connected tothe implement frame. A wheel assembly is connected to the implementframe and moveable between a raised position and a lowered position. Arockshaft is rotatably connected to the implement frame and connected tothe wheel assembly. Movement of the wheel assembly between the raisedposition and the lowered position causes rotation of the rockshaft. Afore leveling link is connected to the hitch assembly. A leveling arm isconnected to the fore leveling link and the implement frame. A levelingactuator is connected to the leveling arm. The leveling actuator has amoveable piston extending from a first end and a projection extendingfrom a second end. An aft leveling link is connected to the actuator andto the rockshaft. At least a portion of the projection extends inside ofthe aft leveling link. The position of the hitch assembly is adjustedbased on movement of the rockshaft, and on movement of the piston.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The aspects and features of various exemplary embodiments will be moreapparent from the description of those exemplary embodiments taken withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary tillage implement;

FIG. 2 is a top view of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a main frame section shownin FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, perspective view of a portion of the main framesection showing the leveling arm of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5 is a top, assembly view showing the connection between the aftleveling link and the leveling actuator of FIGS. 3 and 4 ;

FIG. 6 is a side view of FIG. 5 ; and

FIG. 7 is a side, sectional view showing the aft leveling link connectedto the leveling actuator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Various agricultural machines (e.g., seeders, sprayers, primary andsecondary tillage implements, and so on) have very wide platforms formounting various tools or material dispensing components for workingcrop fields. To allow for transport on roadways, the implements may beformed in sections, one or more of which are able to fold inwardalongside or above a main fame of the implement, which has a controlled(e.g., regulated) width or lateral dimension. The sections may be hingedtogether and rotate with respect to one another between an operationalposition, in which the outer frame sections are generally parallel withthe main frame section, and a transport position, in which the outersections are folded up and/or over the main frame section. An implementmay have as few as one main frame section and one outer section, or itmay have several outer sections, such as multiple outer sections on eachside of the main frame section.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an agricultural implement 100 embodied as atiller. The implement 100 is designed to couple to a work machine and bemoved over an area. For example, the implement 100 can be coupled to atractor, and dragged behind the tractor over a field. The implement 100includes work tools that perform different operations, for exampleaerating the soil before planting or uprooting weeds after planting.Different types of tools can be attached to the implement 100 based onthe desired operation.

The agricultural implement 100 includes a main frame 102. The main frame102 is coupled to a hitch assembly 104, for example a three-point hitchor a drawbar attachment. The hitch assembly 104 extends longitudinallyin a direction of travel V for coupling to the work machine.

A plurality of frame sections (i.e. wings) can be connected to the mainframe 102. In the illustrated five section configuration, a first innerwing 106, second inner wing 108, first outer wing 110, and second outerwing 112 are connected to the main frame 102. The first inner wing 106is disposed to one side of the main frame 106, and the second inner wing108 is disposed on an opposite side of the main frame 102. The firstouter wing 110 is disposed to the outside of the first inner wing 106and the second outer wing 112 is disposed to the outside of the secondinner wing 108.

While FIG. 1 represents an illustrated embodiment of an agriculturalimplement with five frame sections, this disclosure is not limited tothis embodiment. Other embodiments may include only three sections witha main frame and two outer frames. Still other embodiments can includeonly a main frame section without any wing sections. Alternatively,there may be more than five frame sections.

Each frame section can be rotatably coupled to the frame sectionadjacent thereto. For example, the first inner wing 106 is rotatablycoupled to the main frame 102 and the first outer wing 110. Similarly,the second inner wing 108 is rotatably coupled to the main frame 102 andthe second outer wing 112. The outer wing sections 110, 112 can foldinward approximately 180 degrees to be positioned on top of the innerwing sections 106, 108, respectively. The inner wing sections 106, 108,and the folded outer wing sections 110, 112, then fold inwardapproximately 90 degrees so that the inner wings 106, 108 and outerwings 110, 112 are near perpendicular to the main frame 102.

The agricultural implement 100 can include a plurality of actuators forcontrolling rotation and folding of the frame sections. Each actuatormay be a hydraulic actuator, electric actuator, or any other knownactuator. Moreover, each actuator may include an outer body or cylinderin which a rod or piston moves between an extended position and aretracted position. As will be understood, the hydraulic cylinder may becoupled, via various hydraulic fluid carrying lines, to a hydraulic pumpon board the towing vehicle. Also on board the towing vehicle may be oneor more controllers having processers and memory architecture forcontrolling the position of various electro-hydraulic valves, which maybe connected to the controller(s) directly or by a suitable bus andwhich control the extension and/or the retraction of the cylinderpiston.

The main frame 102 includes a pair of inner wing folding actuators 114.The inner wing folding actuators 114 include cylinders connected to themain frame 102 and pistons connected to one of the inner wing frames. Afirst set of pistons are connected to the first inner wing 106 and asecond set of pistons are connected to the second inner wing 108. Eachof the inner wings 106, 108 include a pair of outer wing foldingactuators 116. The outer wing folding actuators 116 include cylindersconnected to the inner wing frames and pistons connected to one of theouter wing frames. By extending and retracting the respective pistons,the different frame sections can be folded or unfolded as needed.

Each of the frame sections includes a plurality of frame members, suchas hollow metal or non-metal tubes or beams. The frame members may beinterconnected (e.g. bolted, welded), providing a framework to which anarray of tillage tools and other components may be mounted. In theexample shown, the frame sections include a pair of spaced lengthwiseframe members 118 having a length extending in the direction of travel Vand two or more lateral frame members 120 coupled to, and extendingbetween, the lengthwise frame members 118. The lateral frame members 120can extend substantially parallel to the direction of travel V. The sizeand spacing of the frame members can vary depending on the desiredlength and width of the implement.

Each of the frame sections can be supported by one or more wheels. Forexample, the implement 100 can utilize one or more sets of center wheels122 and one or more front wheels 124. In the illustrated embodiment, twosets of center wheels 122 are connected to the lengthwise frame members118 of the main frame 102, a single set of center wheels 122 areconnected to each of the inner wings 106, 108 and the outer wings 110,112, and a front wheel is connected to each of the inner frames andouter frames. In some embodiments, there may be only a single wheelsupporting each frame section. In a different embodiment, there may bemore than a pair of wheels supporting each frame section. Moreover,there may be back wheels disposed near the rear of the implement foradditional support.

Height adjustment actuators 126 are used to control the height of theframe sections relative to the center wheels 122, and thus adjust theheight of the frame section relative to the ground. The heightadjustment actuators 126 have a cylinder connected to the respectiveframe section and a piston connected to a mounting arm associated withthe center wheels 122. Extension and retraction of the cylinder raisesor lowers the wheels 122 relative to the respective frame section. Theheight adjustment actuators 122 are dual-acting hydraulic actuators,although other known actuators can be used. As discussed above, theheight adjustment actuators 122 can be coupled to a pump via varioushydraulic fluid carrying lines, and controlled by one or morecontrollers.

A plurality of tool assemblies are coupled to the frame sections forengaging a ground surface or soil upon which the implement 100 travels.The illustrated embodiment includes a first set of disk harrow gangassemblies 128, a second set of disk harrow gang assemblies 130, a firstroller basket assembly 132, and a second roller basket assembly 134attached to each frame section. Different tool assemblies, includingtillers and rank tines, can also be connected to the frame sections. Thetools can be releasably secure to the frame section so that differenttools can be swapped in and out as needed.

FIG. 3 shows portions of the main frame 102 and the hitch assembly 104.The main frame 102 includes a first lengthwise frame member 118A, asecond lengthwise frame member 118B, a front lateral frame member 120A,a medial lateral frame member 120B, and a rear lateral frame member120C. A pair of sub-frame members 138 extend in the direction of travelV and are connected to the medial lateral frame member 120B and the rearlateral frame member 120C. A rockshaft 140 is rotatably connected to thesub-frame members 138 by a pair of bearing assemblies 142. The rockshaft140 is rotatably fixed to the support arms 144 of the center wheelassemblies 122.

The hitch assembly 104 includes a cross frame member 150 rotatablyconnected to the main frame 102. The rotatable connection includes a setof pins 152 that extends through openings in the lengthwise framemembers 118A, 118B 118A, 118B and the cross frame member 150. A hitchframe member 154 extends from the cross frame member 150 in thedirection of travel V. A pair of side braces 156 connect to the hitchframe member 154 and the cross frame member 150. The free end of thehitch frame member 154 includes a tongue assembly 156 having an openingfor receiving a hitch pin on a work vehicle.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the main frame 102 can include aleveling assembly 200 that adjusts the position of the hitch assembly104 to keep the work implement 100 level with the work vehicle as theframe sections are raised and lowered by the height adjustment actuators126. The leveling assembly 200 includes a fore leveling link 202, aleveling arm 204, a leveling actuator 206, and an aft leveling link 208.As the center wheels 122 are raised and lowered, the movement of therockshaft 140 and the leveling actuator 206 adjusts the position of thehitch assembly 104 relative to the main frame 102.

The fore leveling link 202 includes a substantially cylindrical body 210having a first connector 212 extending from a first end and a secondconnector 214 extending from the second end. The first connector 212 isrotatably connected the hitch frame member 154. In an exemplaryembodiment, the first connector 212 includes an eye bolt. A bracket andpin assembly 216 are connected to the hitch frame member 154 and the eyebolt rotatably connects to the pin. As best shown in FIG. 4 , the secondconnector 214 is rotatably connected to the leveling arm 204. In anexemplary embodiment, the second connector 214 includes an eye bolt thatis rotatably connected to the leveling arm 204 through a pin 218.

The first connector 212, the second connector 214, or both connectorscan be adjustable so that the length of the fore leveling link 202 canbe adjusted by a user. For example, the length of the first and secondconnectors 212, 214 extending from the cylindrical body 210 can beadjusted by a threaded connection. A collar or other implement can bethreadably connected to the connector and rotated to linearly move theconnector.

The leveling arm 204 has a substantially I-shaped cross-section with apair of outer flanges 220 and an inner body 222 extending between theouter flanges 220. The leveling arm 204 is rotatably connected to thefront lateral frame member 120A. The leveling arm 204 is positionedbetween a pair of brackets 224 connected to the front lateral framemember 120A, and a pin 226 extends through openings in the brackets 224and the leveling arm 204. The second end of the leveling arm 204receives the fore leveling link 202 and the leveling actuator 206.

The leveling actuator 206 is configured to extend and retract to adjustthe length of the actuator 206, which adjusts the position of theleveling arm 204, fore leveling link 202, and the position of the hitchassembly 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the leveling actuator 206 is adual-acting hydraulic actuator that includes a cylinder 228 and a piston230 moveable relative to the cylinder 228. Hydraulic fluid lines (shownin FIGS. 1 and 2 ) are connected to a first inlet port 232 and a secondinlet port 234 in the cylinder 228. The first inlet port 232 providesfluid communication to the cylinder 228 to retract the piston 230, andthe second inlet port 234 provides fluid communication to the cylinder228 to extend the piston 230. The exposed end of the piston 230 includesa yoke connector 236 that is rotatably connected to the leveling arm 204by a pin 238 extending through openings in the yoke connector 236 andopenings in the leveling arm 204. The second end of the levelingactuator 206 is connected to the aft leveling link 208.

As best shown in FIG. 3 , the aft leveling link includes a substantiallycylindrical body 240 having a first end connected to the levelingactuator 206 and a second end connected to the rockshaft 140. The aftleveling link 208 is positioned between a pair of cam brackets 242 thatare rotatably fixed to the rockshaft 140. A pin 244 extends throughopenings in the cam brackets 242 and openings in the end of the aftleveling link 208 to rotatably connect the aft leveling link 208 to thebrackets 242.

As the center wheel assemblies 122 are raised and lowered, the rockshaft140 rotates. The rotation of the rockshaft 140 rotates the cam brackets242, which causes the aft leveling arm 208 to pull away from, or pushtoward, the front lateral frame 120A. This motion causes movement of theleveling arm 204 and the fore leveling link 202, which rotates the hitchassembly 104. Additionally, the position of the piston 230 in theleveling actuator 206 can be adjusted to increase or decrease thedistance between the rockshaft 140 and the leveling arm 204, furtheradjusting the position of the hitch assembly 104.

The leveling actuator 206 and the aft leveling link 208 are directlyconnected to, and engage one another. FIGS. 5 and 6 show an exemplaryembodiment of the connection components between the leveling actuator206 and the aft leveling link 208. The cylinder 228 of the levelingactuator 206 includes a base 250. A projection 252 extends from the base250 and includes an opening 254 to receive a pin 256. The projection 252is shown as cylindrical, although other shapes can be used. The firstend of the aft leveling link 208 includes a collar 258 connected to thecylindrical body member 240. The collar 258 has an outer diameter thatis approximately the size of the base 250, although the outer diametercan be smaller or larger than the base if required. The inner diameterof the collar 258 is sized to receive the projection 252. The collar 258includes openings 260 that align with the projection openings 254.

When assembled, the cylinder 228 is coaxially aligned with the collar258 and the body member 240 of the aft leveling link 208. The projection252 is inserted into the collar 258 and the pin 256 is placed throughthe collar openings 260 and the projection openings 254. The pin 256 canalso include openings formed in its first end and second end. Cotters262 can be secured (e.g. welding, friction fit, etc.) in the pinopenings to prevent the pin 256 from being unintentionally dislodged.

During operation, the pin 256 receives most or all of the load intension (when the aft leveling link 208 is being pulled away from theleveling actuator 206) while the base 250 and the collar 258 interact totransfer force in compression (when the aft leveling link 208 is beingpushed toward the leveling actuator 206). Accordingly, the aft levelinglink 208 substantially engages the leveling actuator 206. Used herein,the term “substantial engagement” includes a direct or substantiallydirect interaction between the components, which does not preclude theuse of gaskets, pads, washers, spacers, or other minor componentsbetween the leveling actuator 206 and aft leveling link 208. Providingthis connection results in less bowing and bending of the levelingactuator and the aft leveling link. The type and amount of componentsused in the connection are simplified so that servicing or replacingparts is easier. In some embodiments, the position of the levelingactuator can be changed in the order of the leveling assembly 200.

The foregoing detailed description of the certain exemplary embodimentshas been provided for the purpose of explaining the general principlesand practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art tounderstand the disclosure for various embodiments and with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Thisdescription is not necessarily intended to be exhaustive or to limit thedisclosure to the exemplary embodiments disclosed. Any of theembodiments and/or elements disclosed herein may be combined with oneanother to form various additional embodiments not specificallydisclosed. Accordingly, additional embodiments are possible and areintended to be encompassed within this specification and the scope ofthe appended claims. The specification describes specific examples toaccomplish a more general goal that may be accomplished in another way.

As used in this application, the terms “front,” “rear,” “upper,”“lower,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” and other orientational descriptorsare intended to facilitate the description of the exemplary embodimentsof the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the structureof the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure to any particularposition or orientation. Terms of degree, such as “substantially” or“approximately” are understood by those of ordinary skill to refer toreasonable ranges outside of the given value, for example, generaltolerances associated with manufacturing, assembly, and use of thedescribed embodiments.

What is claimed:
 1. A tillage implement configured to be towed behind anagricultural vehicle, the tillage implement comprising: an implementframe having a plurality of frame members; a hitch assembly connected tothe implement frame; a rockshaft moveably connected to the implementframe; and a leveling assembly including an actuator aligned with aleveling link, the actuator including a piston and a base and theleveling link including a collar engaging the base, wherein the levelingassembly is connected to the implement frame, the rockshaft, and thehitch assembly, wherein the leveling assembly is configured to adjustthe position of the hitch assembly based on movement of the rockshaft,and wherein the actuator and the leveling link are pivotally connectedto the frame.
 2. The tillage implement of claim 1, wherein a projectionextends from the base and into the leveling link.
 3. The tillageimplement of claim 2, wherein a pin extends through the leveling linkand the projection.
 4. The tillage implement of claim 2, wherein theleveling link is connected to a cam bracket.
 5. The tillage implement ofclaim 1, wherein the leveling assembly includes a leveling arm connectedto the implement frame and the actuator.
 6. The tillage implement ofclaim 5, wherein the levelling assembly includes a fore leveling linkconnected to the hitch assembly and to the leveling arm.
 7. The tillageimplement of claim 5, wherein the leveling arm is rotatably connected tothe lateral frame member.
 8. The tillage implement of claim 1, whereinthe hitch assembly is rotatably connected to a first lateral framemember and to a second lateral frame member.
 9. The tillage implement ofclaim 1, wherein the actuator includes a dual-acting hydraulic actuator.10. The tillage implement of claim 1, wherein the actuator substantiallyengages the leveling link.
 11. A tillage implement configured to betowed behind an agricultural vehicle, the tillage implement comprising:an implement frame; a hitch assembly connected to the implement frame; arockshaft moveably connected to the implement frame; a fore levelinglink connected to the hitch assembly; a leveling arm connected to thefore leveling link and to the implement frame; a leveling actuatorconnected to the leveling arm, the leveling actuator having a moveablepiston extending from a first end and a base positioned at a second end;and an aft leveling link connected to the actuator and to the rockshaft,wherein at least a portion of the base engages the aft leveling link,wherein the position of the hitch assembly is adjusted based on movementof the rockshaft, and wherein the position of the hitch assembly isadjusted based on movement of the piston.
 12. The tillage implement ofclaim 11, wherein the leveling actuator includes a projection extendingfrom the base into the aft leveling link.
 13. The tillage implement ofclaim 12, wherein the aft leveling link includes a first set of openingsand the projection includes a second set of openings aligned with thefirst set of openings.
 14. The tillage implement of claim 13, wherein apin extends through the first set of openings and the second set ofopenings.
 15. The tillage implement of claim 14, wherein a cotterextends through the pin.
 16. The tillage implement of claim 11, whereinthe aft leveling link includes a collar having an outer diameter equalto an outer diameter of the actuator and wherein the collar engages thebase.
 17. The tillage implement of claim 11, wherein the leveling arm isrotatably connected to the implement frame.
 18. The tillage implement ofclaim 11, further comprising a wheel assembly connected to the implementframe and moveable between a raised position and the lowered position.19. The tillage implement of claim 11, wherein the actuator includes adual-acting hydraulic actuator.
 20. The tillage implement of claim 11,wherein the actuator substantially engages the leveling link.